In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb of Plumb and Ash about their rise from garage woodturning to exhibiting at TEFAF New York. They discuss Greco Roman influences, sculptural wood vessels, working with green oak, embracing cracks and stitch work, targeting high end galleries, and building a profitable craft business through strategy, research and relentless refinement.

Key Topics Covered

• Woodturning and contemporary wood sculpture

• Greco Roman classicism and design history influence

• Storytelling in art and craft practice

• Working with green oak, cracks and natural movement

• Stitching wood vessels and visible mending techniques

• Transition from craft fairs to international art fairs

• Targeting high end galleries and collectors

• Pricing strategy and value in the art market

• Creative partnership and studio roles

• Burnout, pressure and creative flow state

• Building a sustainable craft business in the UK

• Future plans including blacksmithing and workshop expansion

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Plumb and Ash and their sculptural woodturning

01:06 Greco Roman influences and design research

03:17 Storytelling, symbolism and emotional impact in sculpture

08:46 Starting out with a second hand lathe and garage workshop

16:18 Moving from functional objects to sculptural vessels

17:48 Targeting high end galleries and strategic growth

22:24 Pressure, ambition and creative risk

25:01 Division of roles in a creative partnership

27:32 Working with green oak, cracks and stitched repairs

34:55 Complex sculptural handles and pushing technical limits

38:43 Milestones including Collect, museum acquisitions and TEFAF

51:13 Plans for a new woodland workshop

56:05 Burnout, deadlines and creative obsession

59:51 Making work that feels beyond your own ability

01:00:57 Advice to their eighteen year old selves

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Brandon Collins of Crabtree and Hargreeves about building a profitable bespoke kitchen and furniture business in the UK. Brandon shares how he transitioned from antique restoration with his father into high end bespoke kitchens, how he named his company for brand positioning and search clarity, and why hand painted finishes outperform spray finishes in durability and long term maintenance.

He explains how investing in CNC machinery and Cabinet Vision software improved accuracy, efficiency and client communication, and he discusses pricing, managing growth, recruiting skilled cabinet makers and protecting craftsmanship in a technology driven world.

This episode will resonate with furniture makers, joiners, kitchen designers, cabinet makers and small workshop owners who want practical insight into scaling a bespoke furniture business while maintaining quality and creative control.

Key Topics Covered

• Transition from antique restoration to bespoke kitchens

• Brand naming strategy for cabinet makers and furniture businesses

• Hand painted kitchen finishes versus spray finishes

• CNC machines in small woodworking workshops

• Using Cabinet Vision software for cabinetry design and production

• Growth challenges in bespoke furniture businesses

• Pricing, margins and workshop efficiency

• Skills gap in cabinet making and joinery

• Human judgement in bespoke craftsmanship

• Client expectations in high end kitchen design

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Brand Origin and Business Evolution

03:25 Transition from Antiques to Bespoke Furniture

06:26 Challenges and Opportunities in the Furniture Industry

15:27 Hand-Painted Finishes and Quality Control

24:32 Technological Advancements and Efficiency

55:24 The Role of Technology in Bridging Skills Gaps

55:47 The Importance of Creativity and Craftsmanship

56:05 The Future of the Furniture Industry

56:26 Advice for Aspiring Furniture Makers

01:00:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Robin Johnson speaks with Louis Rhoades of Louis Rhoades Studio about scaling a bespoke joinery business from a one man workshop to a structured, design led studio. They break down pricing to the penny, profitability between two and four staff, why growth from four to ten is brutal, and how value beats cost when you invest in CNC, spray finishing and FUGA Hydro substrates.

This episode tackles hospitality versus residential work, outsourcing risk, honest client communication, proportion in design, and the stress that comes with ambition. A direct conversation between two workshop owners on craftsmanship, margins, ethics and long term thinking in British furniture making.

Key Topics Covered

1. Scaling from solo maker to small team
2. Profitability at two to four staff versus four to ten
3. Day rate calculation using fixed and variable overheads
4. Hospitality niche versus high end residential pricing
5. Value versus cost in bespoke joinery
6. CNC machining, solid edge banding and spray booth investment
7. Hydro Fuga MDF and veneered construction
8. Design first process and shop drawings
9. Outsourcing risk and quality control
10. Proportion, symmetry and timeless furniture design
11. Stress, cash flow fear and business resilience

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 Scaling from one man workshop to small team

04:25 Why employing friends rarely works

08:09 Hospitality versus residential pricing realities

11:07 Value proposition and stepping away from tenders

24:58 Outsourcing failures and bringing processes in house

30:12 Investing in CNC and spray finishing for output and control

33:57 Calculating day rates and defining real value

45:15 Design ethics, legacy and avoiding disposable furniture

01:01:12 Hydro Fuga, veneering and modern wardrobe design

01:17:42 Craft standards, minor defects and client honesty

01:21:37 Advice to a younger self on stress and growth